2011 Commemorate Kansas/Serve Kansas Mini-Grant Projects
Fort Hays State University:
Kansas Corps
On January 29, 2011, Haskell Intertribal Cultural Club will be hosting a Kansas Day event at Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence, Kansas. Kansas Corps will be coordinating volunteers from several higher education institutes to assist with this event. According to Joshua Woosypitti, editor of The Indian Leader some of the activities of this event include:
- The Haskell Intertribal Cultural Club (HICC) will hold a dance performance with an explanation of dance styles and evolution of the contemporary powwow,
- Guest speakers from the Indigenous and American Studies Club will be discussing the history of American Indians,
- Guest speaker of The Indian Leader will be presenting information on the transition of media on the Haskell Indian Nations University campus within Kansas history,
- The HICC will be conducting various dance categories through the event with education provided on regalia, beadwork and songs,
- A guest speaker will be presenting information on how Kansas history encompasses American Indians, in addition to how Haskell has impacted Kansas state history.
Because the number of volunteers that have been recruited from higher education institutes across the state is greater than the number of volunteers needed for the Kansas Day event, additional volunteer opportunities in Lawrence are being identified. Habitat for Humanity has requested 20 volunteers to assist with a house that is being built. Additionally, they have requested 10 volunteers to help in their Restore. Other volunteer opportunities are being sought to assist domestic violence victims, homeless individuals and families, and other social needs. All of the student volunteers will be welcomed to attend the Kansas Day event at Haskell. By providing these additional volunteer opportunities it reinforces that volunteerism is at the heart of Kansas history and the importance of helping each other as our pioneers did. Whenever Kansas Corps coordinates and collaborates with other higher institutes in Kansas, volunteer opportunities are identified that will allow all students no matter what race, gender, age, ethnicity, disability or lifestyle preference can participate in. Kansas Corps has a non-discriminatory policy in place regarding all volunteer events.
Contact: Lydia Weed, (785) 628-4668
Southwestern College:
Sustainable Community Gardens
Students from the Southwestern College Green Team will work in conjunction with students and staff of Winfield High School (USD 465) to prepare, cultivate, plant and harvest a community garden in Winfield. The preparation will begin in November of 2010 in order to ensure fertile soil for growing crops. On Kansas Day, 2011, The Southwestern College Green Team and students and staff from Winfield High will dedicate and celebrate the community garden. This dedication will be an educational opportunity for all of the students and an open invitation to any who would like to work planting and harvesting the crops. In the spring, a variety of vegetables will be planted in the garden and harvest will occur throughout the summer and fall months. The garden will be tended by various students and staff throughout the summer. The yield from the garden will be divided amongst those who work in the garden. Some of the yield will be sold in order to ensure the economic sustainability of the garden and a portion of the yield will be donated to a local food pantry at Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield, Kansas.
Contact: Jason Speegle, (620) 229-6311
University of Saint Mary
150 Years of Leavenworth County History
The project goal is to create an exhibit at the Lansing Historical Museum and a complimentary educational program. The exhibit theme is, “150 years of Leavenworth County History.” The exhibit will go up the first part of January, 2011. When the exhibit comes down after 4 months, components of the exhibit will be available as an outreach instrument that the local school districts and the general public may use for years to come.
In addition, an “Educational Literature” will be created in both English and Spanish. The literature will be available in print at area institutions and on the sponsoring organizations’ websites. On Kansas Day, the Lansing Historical Museum will host a Kansas Day celebration. University of Saint Mary students will participate in this event which will include children’s activities such as pioneer chores. After the children’s activities, the Museum will present an adult educational program about the history of Leavenworth County. Residents and visitors of Leavenworth County comprise our target audience.
Contact: Ken Mulliken, (913) 758-6157
